Page 40 of Christmas Wishes

“He’ll fix it.”

I turned toward Doris’s voice. She was bundled in a cherry-red coat and a Santa hat.

“I was hoping I’d see you here.” I held out my arm, and she wrapped hers around it. We huddled close for body heat.

“Me too.”

“Has this happened before?” I asked.

“Not that I can remember, but this is probably Nico’s doing just to tease Riggs.”

“I wish I’d been able to meet Nico. He sounds like he was an incredible man. I respect anyone who gives Riggs the shit he deserves.”

“One of the things I’m becoming quite fond of you for.”

My laughter got lost in the Christmas song that came over the sound system. It was like the tree lighting’s version of telephone hold music.

“Thank you, Doris. I’m so glad I got to meet you. I spent a little time crocheting this morning. I think you’ve inspired my inner hooker.”

“Atta boy. I’m glad I met you too. You’re welcome back any time, you know. I’ve got a spare room that’s yours.”

The offer choked me up. I’d expected this week to be something to suffer through, but I’d actually enjoyed myself. Even apart from Riggs, I’d enjoyed Juniper Ridge and its people. I tried to fight back the emotions but teetered on the edge of a cliff. This snowy little town had grown on me.

The tree lights flashed on for a fraction of a second before going off again, then the crowd cheered. The music cut off and the mayor called attention back. He handed the switch back to the citizen of the year.

“Thank you, but given the circumstances, I think our hero of the night deserves to join us. Riggs?”

The man, the myth, the electrician, stood next to the stage with his mouth hanging open. “What?”

“Yes! Riggs! Come on stage.” The mayor led a clap for Riggs.

“Told you this was Nico’s doing,” Doris said. She smiled as tears filled her eyes.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and started recording. I had a feeling this needed to be documented.

I vaguely heard Riggs’s grumbles as he lumbered on stage, but he moved to where he was directed. The crowd cheered then started the countdown over at ten. By the time we got to one, there was a small smile on Riggs’s face.

He flipped the switch, and the tree glowed with stunning red, green, and white lights. I became oddly emotional, and the tears in my eyes blurred the lights.This town is doing something to me.

The crowd cheered, but I cheered louder. Riggs found me in the crowd and smiled. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.

“Oh my,” Doris said, barely above a whisper.

How am I going to leave this man? We’re just starting to get somewhere.

Chapter21

Riggs

How many hoursa day did I spend staring at the bedroom ceiling? I should add something to make it at least mildly interesting to look at. I was way too wired to fall asleep.

I tried to brush it off as still coming down from the adrenaline spike hours ago when the tree lights didn’t work, but that was bullshit. I only had hours left with Keaton, and I was bummed to see him go. Andthatpissed me off. He’d been here for less than a week. How could someone matter to me so quickly? It usually took me months to warm up to someone. He’d disarmed me faster than a cop doing a weapons search.

I was also wide-awake thinking about how I wanted another round with Keaton. Last night’s sex had been incredible, and not just because it’d been a while for me. Keaton made me feel alive.

He was only one floor above me. I could sneak upstairs and find out if he was awake thinking about me like I was him. It was my last chance for no-strings fun with him, but I couldn’t. My hormones had taken over last night, but Keaton was basically a paying customer. Electrical customers or houseguests, I didn’t fuck people who paid me. It might be a silly rule, but Nico had taught me that. He said he’d made that mistake once, and it had been a nightmare.

The sound of something lightly hitting my bedroom door had my pulse quickening. Was Keaton thinking about me too? I held my breath and waited for him to open the door, my dick already coming to attention.

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